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Have you had a week of Aphids too?

The worms have drawn Aphid cartoons this week. As new plant growth emerges, so do aphids. Their numbers grow quickly as there are fewer predators … but that all changes as the season develops and more predators emerge, to reform the natural balance in your garden. Aphids are a staple food for birds, wasps, lacewings, ladybirds and many more …

The cartoon headline says, “Aphids are a natural part of the garden’s ecosystem” The cartoon shows two worms looking at a plant with aphids on it. One work says to the other, “ Aphids are a natural source of food to birds” The other worm, looking at the aphids, asks, “Are we related? #putpollinatorsfirst

The worms have drawn Aphid cartoons this week. As new plant growth emerges, so do aphids. Their numbers grow quickly as there are fewer predators … but that all changes as the season develops and more predators emerge, to reform the natural balance in your garden. Aphids are a staple food for birds, wasps, lacewings, ladybirds and many more …

  • The cartoon headline says, “There are 500 species of aphid in the UK. Known as blackly or greenfly they can also be orange, yellow and brown, too. In the cartoon two worms are looking a leaf with orange ‘greenfly’ o it. One work says to the other one, “Look! Greenfly” The other work says, “Eric, I think you might be colourblind”
  • The cartoon headline says, “Aphids are a natural part of the garden’s ecosystem” The cartoon shows two worms looking at a plant with aphids on it. One work says to the other, “ Aphids are a natural source of food to birds” The other worm, looking at the aphids, asks, “Are we related? #putpollinatorsfirst
  • The cartoon headline says, “Aphids can be hard to spot. They hide in leaf joints and under leaves.” The cartoon shows a lot of aphids hiding under a leaf. On the upper side of the leaf one aphid is standing up, it says, “ 99, 100 … ready or not here i come.”
  • The cartoon headline says, “Help deter Aphids by planting pungent smelling plants alongside your effected plants.” The cartoon shows a worm standing next to a garlic bulb sprouting new leaves, it has a wooden peg on its nose. It says, Try using Sage, nasturtiums or garlic.” and then goes on to say, “if you must” #putpollinatorsfirst
  • The cartoon headline says, “At the first sign of Aphids you can wash them or pinch them off. Try to tolerate their presence, they are a natural food source.” The cartoon is of a worm being sprayed by a jet of water, it says, “ I am NOT an Aphid!” #putpollinatorsfirst
  • The cartoon headline says, “Rely on the natural world to control Aphids. One ladybird will eat 300 Aphids in its lifetime.” The cartoon shows a worm looking at a ladybird on a leaf with orange and black aphids in front of it. The worm says, “ I’m concerned about your diet. You need to eat more greens.” The ladybird and all of the greenfly on the leaf say “!” #putpollinatorsfirst

Try not to use insecticides as this kills the predators as well. #putpollinatorsfirst Squash them or spray off with a jet hose to control them, where you can. Follow our blog to get more daily gardening cartoons, ideas, tasks and tips.

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The wrigglers are amateur gardeners, for advice from the experts on how to deal with aphids, try the experts below – they know what they’re talking about!

Gardener’s World and how to get rid of aphids safely

Aphids are a natural part of the garden ecosystem and a vital source of food for many species of bird, including house sparrows. They’re only a problem if they occur in large numbers.

RHS – aphid control

Encourage the natural enemies of aphids in the garden, such as ladybirds, ground beetles, hoverflies, parasitoid wasps and earwigs. Be aware that in spring aphid populations often build up before natural enemies are active in sufficient numbers and then give good control. Indiscriminate use of pesticides can reduce the numbers of useful predators.

The Wrigglers have joined the #putpollinators first Campaign

Wild flower meadows flower for longer due to the diverse range of plants in them. That’s more flowers for you, and more food for the bees and insects. Plant one and join the Gardener’s World Put Pollinators First campaign – raising awareness of the decline of our pollinators @GWmagazine

Click to see our ‘Put Pollinators First’ page

Gardener’s world launched its #putpollinatorsfirst campaign, as part of their 30th Anniversary celebrations of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. See what you can do to play your part:

Join in the Gardener’s World team and pledge here

With a panel of pollinator experts, committed to helping bees and other pollinating insects to thrive, Dr Trevor Dines says, ” Since the 1930’s, over 97 percent of our wildflower meadows have been destroyed. That’s 7.5 million acres, gone. Now you can understand why our pollinators are in such trouble.”

There are 3 ideas:

Sow some pollinator meadow seeds

Create habitats for butterflies, moths and caterpillars

Make a cornfield nectar bar

By making a meadow, even on a small scale, we can provide a banquet for pollinators that’ll help them to thrive.

Here are some seed suppliers and links:

Dobies

Thomson and Morgan – how to sow wildflower seeds

RHS – How to grow a mini wild flower meadow

More from the worms

Year-round garden pruning guide

Great advice and full of quick and simple tips too, for example … don’t cut into tender plants or evergreens right now as their top growth provides insulation from penetrating cold.

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